You see her there.
Rumor has it she's going through a rough patch in life right now. To be technically exact, she's actually living in sin- she's in a relationship with a non-Christian guy and its been getting 'physical' in non-violent ways. "At least she's still coming to church."
The guy in the corner.
He's a nice guy. Friendly, fun, funny... He just... It's just that... He swears. He smokes. He clearly has issues, but he's not sharing. "I hope God will touch him through today's message."
... ... Is that enough on our part?
Galatians 6
Doing Good to All
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
Granted that ultimately each of us are responsible for our own spiritual walk, we must not overlook the fact that in Christ, we are family. We NEED to love each other. Not just as we love and care about our secular friends, but as Christ loves us. If we can't even love our brothers and sisters who are in the family of Christ, how can we love others? How can others trust us when we say we love and care about them?
John 13
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Goodness!! How many times must our Lord Jesus Christ say the words "love one another" before it registers in our heads and overflows through our action from our hearts?
[FunFact: Throughout biblical times, importance and emphasis of what is being spoken is expressed through repetition of what is being said. Jesus Christ repeated "love one another" THREE times in 2 verses.]
We earnestly desire to evangelize for God, to share His message and His love to the lost souls in our Jerusalem (where we are), Judea (our immediate neighbours) and Samaria (all those around us).. Let's not get so excited about Judea and Samaria that we neglect our own Jerusalem.
It's not going to be easy- We need to be spiritually firm, yet gentle in our approach. We need to be carrying each other's burdens yet remembering that ultimately we're responsible for our own spiritual walk, not others; and..
Galatians 6
9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
We are told we'll only see the success of these efforts IF we do not give up, and we're suppose to love each other at every opportunity!
That's where God's love and strength comes in.
If we loved those around us with our own capacity and desire- we're bound to burn out, give up, fall out. But if we love others because it's very much an overflowing of the love of God we have experienced in our lives- it's never hard. It's kinda like sharing a pie or your meal with your friend- it's nothing at all to you if you have SO MUCH extra (which should be the case for us as our God is a generous giver and provider as King David describes in Psalm 23: 5-6).
For myself, I know I've let go of many opportunities to love others. I've also had my fair share of giving up as well. But we don't give up. To phrase it up, I'd like to quote Apostle Paul:
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.. (Philippians 3:13)
Phileo agape,
Mi
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30 comments:
Haha.. I saw "pie" and I couldn't help myself. Mi has learned how to share her food in the past year.. which is a very good thing. She's learned to share the blessings she has with the ones she loves. Most of all, we've both learned to love the ones who don't love us and love the ones who we've neglected... huggies!!
SO WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT if the guy is not christian?!!!! smoking doesn't say that the guy is a bad apple. leave him alone to cope with his own problem rather than spreading the whole gospel idea onto others who obviously don't want to hear it out.
why you christians just can't leave the hell outta ppl's life alone. IF they screw up let them be, they will come around.Afterall, we're born to adapt to changes and to cope with it to survive! everyone goes through a phase, let them grow,let them stumble,let them fall,let them see for themselves!
why can't people give advice without involving relegion. GOD!
religion*
since when does loving someone means loving their religion too???!!! oh please! If he is not a christian let him be, if he wants to believe in christianity let him do so in time. You don't have to date someone from the same religion!
It eats me up to hear people trying to date ppl from other religion and then convert them or try to sell the whole idea of christianity.
fuck. why can't you people just shut up and embrace it. People will see the good in it and believe in it if they want to.
THERE I SWEAR AND I CURSE AND I AM A SINNER.ARE YOU SAYING I AM A BAD PERSON? ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND SEND ME TO HELL?! CAN'T WAIT!
Hey cow! ^-^
Erm.. Perhaps I need to rephrase the illustration, because the guy IS a Christian, but he clearly does not consider the Christians around him as people he can trust with who he really is deep inside, and what he's going through.
This post is meant to say that Christians need to STOP seeing them and judging them because they're like that- smoking and swearing; and TRULY LOVE them enough to look past all that in HOPES (no force here as it's meant to be gentle) that they will realize that they, the Christians, ReaLLy care.
If the person truly refuses it, then we've done our part. We let go and as you put it- let him go through that phase. No judgments. No giving up. Just letting go.
Hopefully when the person decides to quit smoking and swearing; and is looking for support, he'll remember this bunch of people that were there and are still there. Always there.
Christians are sinners! I am a sinner. That's why I need God. That's why I was drawn to Him. God gave me something that no one, not even I, could not offer myself- forgiveness. Becoming a Christian doesn't mean I'm no longer a sinner. I still sin. No shame about admitting that.
So how can I say you're a bad person? Who am I to judge you? I'm no better than you are. I mean it. The only difference is- I have God and since He wants me to be holy, I love Him and I want to be holy as well. I'm definitely NO where there, but I'm still gonna keep at it because His love is there to keep me going =)
p.s. I agree with you- It is SO WRONG to date someone so you can convert the person. Relationship with God is a personal matter. It's one thing to share the gospel with someone who's not Christian, it's another thing altogether to bring the person into Christianity through a relationship with them.
But like I said. Christians are sinners too. We make mistakes. We give up. We judge. We smoke. We swear. We lust. I'm sorry I created this whole misunderstanding with this post- I'll try to be more specific next time.
Thanks cow =)
I wasn't aware that by smoking it is a sin. I am sure there are many christians working in a tobacco company, americans in tobacco company are christians too,worse they are the managing director. So, since they are the rightful owner of the company and they manufacturing fags, are they sinners?
sides,I would say almost 90% of the employees there smoke.
I don't think we should categorized smokers as sinners it isnt fair. The bible has been misinterpreted by many people and it has gone through numerous translation.
People should just keep things less complicated and be liberal about it.
Anyway, I got heated up after readin the first sentence cos that IS whats happening to some people. And just few days back a friend of mine told me about her brother dating a christian girl, and the christian girl kept trying to get him to church, and even told him he wants a christian husband.
That girl already knew that he's a buddhist. So it is like, she had the intention to convert him and even tried to force the idea to his family.
I condemn that! totally!
Please, people should just embrace it, and do the good things. You don't have to try to persuade sinners to come to god by trying to spread the whole gospel thing, If they want it, they will seek for it.
ps: that is why, Ive decided to renounce christianity, what a shame eventhough I've already been baptised when I was a kid (thx to my holy grandma) I can't see the good in it anymore. And there are too many questions i have that could not be answered/explained to my satisfaction.
that is why I condemn islam too. Cos they force people to convert when they marry someoen who's not a muslim. total rubbish.
since when religion has become a competition?!
Christians ARE sinners, so i'm not surprised if there are Christians who work in tobacco companies and smoke.
Sin (, by Christian definition) is an act that displeases God- this could be in the form of commission (such as lying and stealing) or omission (such as not being a good Christian example). Personally, I would say smoking falls under the latter not just because it's bad for your health, but additionally, our body is like a temple where God dwells.
Smoking may not be as bad as committing suicide, but it's like graffiti with "acid" sprays that eventually "eat up" the pillars of the temple and destroy the whole structure (i.e. if the smoking habits lead to cancer and death)
I'm sorry to hear that your friend's bro is going through that.. I hope that relationship will not get anymore complicated and painful for those involved..
But sharing the gospel- it's frankly something we can't help ourselves, or at least struggle to do RIGHT.. Kinda like how you (not literally 'you') would try to get all your friends in on something that you consider totally awesome and great!
In the process, it's possible that you get SO caught up about how wonderful it is, you lose sight of the way you're going about sharing it, and that you really can't force people to love something just because you truly know it's THAT good, just because you love it...
Christians are humans too. We get overexcited, overenthusiastic, overboard. I'm sorry you seem to have met so many... I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive them and change your mind about renouncing Christianity. I'm not gonna force you of course- it's your decision =)
p.s. If you're really interested in finding out the answers to matters like the one you posted, i.e. the Bible has been translated many times and has thus lost its authenticity, they fall under 'Christian apologetics'. It's better to read up on it than talk so someone, because that topic in itself can be a WHOLE book =)
p.p.s. Really appreciate you taking the time to read and reply! ^-^ We respect very much your opinions and beliefs. This is just ours. We hope you don't take offence in it =)
Sincerely,
testing...
test
i am not your voice of conscience when i know there is already one inside you - there is one in all of us, whether we heed its voice or not.
Since we are on 'tis subject of smokin', please, tell me if there is anythin' good 'bout the activity of such... and please be mindful of the fact that i am tacklin' the issue of smokin', and not condemnin' any person 'ere, i.e; smokers, haters, etc.
Question: Why do people eagerly embrace the things which deep down they already know and realize are not good or beneficial to themselves and to others, but, readily reject all that are good for them? It's like the sick who says to themselves and those around 'em that truly care for their well-being, "Leave me alone to decay and die!" Yes, it is that person's right to die, but, it is also really painful for those around who really care and love that person to watch him/her squander his/her life away. Just a food for thought 'ere.
i pray and hope for anyone and ev'ryone readin' 'tis to be open, rational and honest (truthful) 'bout the things brought to the mind and heart, and not be defensive and jump into any (premature) conclusions by turnin' a blind eye without truly considerin' and ponderin' the truth and depth of the words.
When it comes to truth, there is no such thing as 'your' or 'my' truth, but, only truth. Truth does not stand on anyone's side... it stands on its own (side)... it is up to us (you and i), to make a choice whether to stand on its (truth's) side, or not.
P.S.: i find your last statement in your first statement to be of great int'rest and intrigue... you said, "Why can't people give advice without involving religion. GOD!" You seem to be havin' such a disdain or all things religious, but you cried out to the pivotal focus of religion in the same sentence. Very int'restin' indeed. :)
You don't need to swear, curse, or cuss to be a sinner. We all already are. Which is why we are all desperately in need of a savior. And we cannot look to anyone else (not the least ourselves), but only One to save us. The (only) one who said He is the way, the truth, and the life.
You seem to exhibit a lot of hatred, angst and anger which you really need to learn to deal with. And you really don't need to use profanity to show that... it is the use of it which actually shows a lack of ability to properly express and channel whatever feelings of frustrations and anger you might possess.
So, chill dude... no one is gonna' (can nor should) force or coerce you, or anyone else for that matter into somethin' he/she does not, will not, or is not just yet ready for it yet.
And, no one else can condemn another person to hell, for we all stand condemned before the judgment seat/throne of God - the only one to judge the world in the end times.
It's funny how you hate the feelin' of condemnation, yet you (still) condemn the ones with which you feel condemned by... are you then not practicin' the very same things with which you seemed or are repulsed by?
LOL. your previous reply is there mi. funny la you.
looks like the blogger is throwing a tantrum on you.
i made a comment but it is not there. hmm..
spam spam spam
urgh, i see more ''disgusting'' comments coming up from another party, not you mi.
oh shut up moo who's talking to you. That comment isnt directed to you anyway... and I certainly did not ask for your opinion. it was just between me and mi
Haha~ it came back after i spammed it with "test" =)
ehhe, can't help it if Blogger's got "face problem" against me xD As long as it all sorts out alright in the end- it's all ok ^-^
I wonder when this comment will show.. but it'll be gone later on =)
i.e. deleted
cos i'm just spamming our blog to get the earlier comments to show sooner =)
ok, done! ^-^ take care dear reader! God bless!
I think it just takes awhile to appear haha
Wow a lot of comments here eh? Haha I've been missing all the fun!
Nothing to add except a kudos to the owners of this blog for standing for what they believe in (a rarity in this world today), and yet being wise and gentle in the clearing up of misconceptions. Praise God for that =)
Kudos to dear old cow too for showing up and being part of this. I note we did not part on too friendly a note the last we spoke (my bad), but its good to see you're still alive and kicking lol
Cheers all and have a great day!
i'm sorry... i did know that this was s'posed to be in fact a 'private discussion' between only two persons, when it seems pretty clear to me that 'tis is an open forum and discussion, in adherence and compliance to the rule, code and common ethics of blogging. i was under the assumption, impression and (ev'n to say) conviction that we are all for freedom of expression and opinions, exchange of ideas and world view (hence the creation and proliferation of an alternative/new media)... seems like someone who seems to be advocatin' such has now turned around to try to stifle it. Peculiar, is it not? =) Sounds like the Bee End government which is all out to quash all other views in opposition to theirs, gettin' really uptight and defensive when their views, opinions and policies are being challenged and questioned. Sigh. You don't hafta' take it if you can't stomach it, my friend... i did not mention nor state in any of my open address (on the issue, not the person), or comment that it was directed towards one person, and one person only (quote: "i pray and hope for anyone and ev'ryone readin' 'tis to be open, rational and honest (truthful) 'bout the things brought to the mind and heart, and not be defensive and jump into any (premature) conclusions by turnin' a blind eye without truly considerin' and ponderin' the truth and depth of the words."). i have kept my (word and) peace.
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